Veterans Day as a Veteran at WDW

[OKW Lover]

Val & I are just wrapping up another WDW trip. Yes, we consider ourselves WDW veterans. But this post is about being a military veteran at WDW.

Some of you may know that I served in Vietnam while in the Army. Most of you probably don't know that though. Its not something that I talk much about, and neither do most of my brothers in arms. When we served there was an entirely different attitude towards the military and many of us returned home to outwardly hostile receptions. Being a veteran then was almost a thing to be hidden.

Things are much different these days - a change for the better. For the first time in my life I bought and proudly wore a Vietnam Veteran hat while at WDW (in lieu of my usual Mickey hat). I was stopped a bunch of times by folks that wanted to thank me for my service. I didn't know what to say back. Nicely awkward moments though. Some memorable moments:

My first encounter was walking into the Festival of the Masters on Saturday. We had gotten there early and parked near Cirque. Walked across the road and a Disney security type on a bicycle peddled past, noticed me and stopped. As we approached he said "excuse me sir" and of course I was thinking, "did I do something wrong?" but I knew it didn't. Walked over and he shook my hand in a firm grip and said "Thank you for your service".

Later while walking around the booths a very young girl made it a point to walk over to me and thank me. This girl's parents probably weren't even born when I served, she was that young.

Walking around Epcot over the weekend I saw many more Vietnam veterans. We often stopped and compared notes. "When were you there?" "What unit?" always ending with "Welcome back". Also chatted with some veterans of other wars and thanked them for their service.

Had a great opportunity to spend some time with a currently serving member of the Army, longtime board member Launchpad11B and his wife.

So, the point of this post? Just to say thank you to all those who did stop to talk with our veterans.

 

[Disworldluv]

God bless all of our veterans, we live free because of them!!!!!!

 

[Disney Khi]

My dad is also a Vietnam Army vet. I've seen how he has struggled with it. It's really just been the last few years that he has been more open about it. I'm so glad that you had such a positive experience!

Thank you for your service.

 

[SMorgan711]

What a nice experience! My dad served in Vietnam as well. He doesn't talk about it often but does mention how horrible it was when he came home. He wears a Vietnam Vet hat everyday and I think he kind of forgets what it says because he's always surprised when someone stops him at Disney to chat and thank him for his service. This usually only happens at Disney!

Thank you for your service and WELCOME HOME!!

 

[DisneyKentucky]

I come from a long line of Military in the US (Even military for the Crown before we broke from England to the Revolution and to current actions overseas). So, yesterday the Flag Retreat was a must. I shot a crude and not so great video from my iPhone. My wife works with returning soldiers with PTSD etc.

Disney World yesterday did the day well with the flag retreat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4PLwgolam4

 

[mytripsandraces]

Thank you for your service! My dad served in Korea as a Marine and in Vietnam as a Navy pilot and we followed him wherever he served (we lived in Tokyo during his Vietnam War tours). The response to our veterans today is a bright shining day to the deep dark night of the response to the veterans of the Vietnam War era and I'm so glad to see the change.

 

[Pooh2]

Welcome Home and Thankyou for your service!

My son-in-law is an infantry soldier recently back from Afghanistan and my daughter is in medical services. It warms my heart to hear stories of the support they receive from strangers.

SIL was recently on his way home with about a dozen soldiers after a field exercise and stopped into a diner for a bite to eat in their muddy, sweaty uniforms. Two different patrons of the diner offered to pick up their tab of over $150. The scars of losing his friends and his physical injuries may never go away, but feeling appreciated and welcome on his return definitely help to start the healing.

 

[LLR5654]

From an Air Force Brat from family with a long history of military I just want to Thank you for your service! My uncle is a Vietnam and first Gulf war vet and I know he still has problems from his time in Vietnam. (My father was too young for Vietnam and was closing a base during the first Gulf war!)

 

[kbelle8995]

Thank you for your post. I'm glad you were treated well.

And Thank you for your service.

 

[AndyPok1]

As someone who volunteers for high school students with the American Legion every year, I see up close both the best (the younger generation's respect for the flag and country), and the worst (how badly Vietnam vets are treated by other vets, though happily(/sadly?) that is (literally) dying out).

Thanks for your service, Jeff! I'm glad you were able to be recognized.

 

[Launchpad11B]

Val & I are just wrapping up another WDW trip. Yes, we consider ourselves WDW veterans. But this post is about being a military veteran at WDW.

Some of you may know that I served in Vietnam while in the Army. Most of you probably don't know that though. Its not something that I talk much about, and neither do most of my brothers in arms. When we served there was an entirely different attitude towards the military and many of us returned home to outwardly hostile receptions. Being a veteran then was almost a thing to be hidden.

Things are much different these days - a change for the better. For the first time in my life I bought and proudly wore a Vietnam Veteran hat while at WDW (in lieu of my usual Mickey hat). I was stopped a bunch of times by folks that wanted to thank me for my service. I didn't know what to say back. Nicely awkward moments though. Some memorable moments:

My first encounter was walking into the Festival of the Masters on Saturday. We had gotten there early and parked near Cirque. Walked across the road and a Disney security type on a bicycle peddled past, noticed me and stopped. As we approached he said "excuse me sir" and of course I was thinking, "did I do something wrong?" but I knew it didn't. Walked over and he shook my hand in a firm grip and said "Thank you for your service".

Later while walking around the booths a very young girl made it a point to walk over to me and thank me. This girl's parents probably weren't even born when I served, she was that young.

Walking around Epcot over the weekend I saw many more Vietnam veterans. We often stopped and compared notes. "When were you there?" "What unit?" always ending with "Welcome back". Also chatted with some veterans of other wars and thanked them for their service.

Had a great opportunity to spend some time with a currently serving member of the Army, longtime board member Launchpad11B and his wife.

So, the point of this post? Just to say thank you to all those who did stop to talk with our veterans.

It was great seeing you and Val as well Jeff! You made our day!

 

[pitterpint23]

This is an amazing post. Thank you so much for dedicating your life and putting it on the line so that I can live my life with freedom.

I would always make it a point to stop and thank people even if it was random.

Thanks everyone for your service

 

[OKW Lover]

Just stopping back to thank those that took the time to post here. It really does give me a warm feeling.

Special thanks to Paul for the great conversation that day, and more to come.

 

[pitterpint23]

Just stopping back to thank those that took the time to post here. It really does give me a warm feeling.

Special thanks to Paul for the great conversation that day, and more to come.

No sir, thank you!!!